Lifeguard Training
Lifeguard Training
American Red Cross Lifeguard Training courses are offered at The Y. Take your certification anywhere in the USA or apply for a job within you own local Y! Your lifeguard certification is valid for 2 years, and you must re-certify before your certification expires or you will be required to retake the full class. We offer multiple recertification classes throughout the year.
Cost:
Y Members: $225/participant ($25 Non-Refundable Fee for Required Prerequisite Testing + $200 Lifeguard Course Fee)
Non-Members: $275/participant ($25 Non-Refundable Fee for Required Prerequisite Testing + $250 Lifeguard Course Fee)
Cost for Recertification: $100 for Y Members (Non-Refundable) / $150 for Non-Members (Non-Refundable)
Job Opportunities:
Upon successful completion of the Lifeguard course, should you choose to work at any of the YMCA of East Tennessee locations as a lifeguard, we will refund your lifeguard course fee after six months of employment.
Prerequisites:
- 15 years of age on or before the final day of the course
- All participants MUST register for and complete an in-water swimming test before registering for the full lifeguarding course. The pre-test consists of:
- 300 Yard swim using the Front Crawl and Breast Stroke with Rhythmic Breathing
- 10 lb brick retrieval from deep water in less than 1 minute, 40 seconds
- Tread water for 2 minutes without arm support
- All participants MUST complete online learning prior to attending the lifeguarding course. The online learning will be assigned once the swimming pre-test has been passed. If the online pre-work is not complete before the start of class, the participant will unable to attend the course. The online learning takes approximately 8 hours to complete.
- Recertification class participants will be required to complete a pre-requisite swim test. For recertification, your certification cannot be expired for more than 30 days.
2023 Lifeguard Training Class Dates & Location
Jan 21-22 | Cansler (Re-cert only) |
Feb 17-19 | Davis Y |
Mar 3-5 | Pilot Family Y |
March 13-15 | Tennova Y |
Mar 30- April 1 | Cansler Y |
April 15-16 | Davis (Re-cert only) |
April 21-23 | Pilot Family Y |
April 27-29 | Tennova Family Y |
May 5-7 | Davis Y |
May 18-20 | Cansler Y |
June 2-4 | Pilot Family Y |
June 15-17 | Tennova Family Y |
August 18-20 | Pilot Family Y |
September 15-17 | Davis Y |
October 5-7 | Cansler Y |
December 8-10 | Pilot Family Y |
Register for Lifeguarding
To register for a lifeguarding class, find and register for the swimming pre-test for your desired class. After successful completion of the in-water pre-test, you will then be able to register for the full class and will be assigned online learning to complete independently prior to your class. Registration for the pre-test may be completed online, over the phone, or at the member services counter at your Y.
- Cansler Y: 865-637-9622
- Pilot Family Y: 865-690-9622
- Tennova Family YMCA: 865-922-9622
- Davis Y: 865-777-9622

Lifeguard Registration
Click the link below and find your desired program to Register.